The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-30
Thoreau and John Brown.

David Starr Jordan, president of the State
University, spoke at Plymouth Church last
night on 'Thoreau and John Brown" President
Jordan, after his Introductory, said it not of
Thoreau a saunterer, as a naturalist as
an essayist that he wished to speak, but of his
relation to American politics. At one time he
made declaration of independence in a small
way, and refused allegiance and poll-tax to a
government built a cornerstone of human
slavery. Because of this he was put into Jail,
where he remained one night. Emerson came
along in the morning and asked him what he
in there for why are you not in here,
Mr.. Emerson?" was his reply. for it seemed to
him that had the right to be free in
country where slaves. ''fn
those dark days" said DR.. Jordan, I'VE all
worshiped our own deformity, haply to
hideous to us-so very hideous at
last that the political party of the North which
considered its special guardian, has, right
or wrong never yet been forgiven by the people
Tolerated it is now, and it may be again. as a
refuge from the leeches which always cling to
the party in power but fully and truly trusted
neveI~
The speaker said he did not defend this feel
ing nor try to justify it, but merely stated it
fact. He then described John Brown, his
capture by the Governor of Virginia, who took
him out and hanged him. When it was heard in
Concord that Brown had been captured and was
soon to be hanged Tnoreau sent notice through
the city that he would speak in the public hall
on the condition and character of John Brown
and invited all to be present. Thoreau's plea
for Capt. John Brown" should be a classic in
American history
The lecturer quoted largely from this address
of Thoreau's and concluded follows: 'Some
three years ago. while a tramp through the
North woods, l came out the township OF
North Elba on the old John Brown farm. Here
John Brown lived for many years and here he
tried tc establish colony Of freed slaves in the
pure air OF the noun tains. Here, too, his family
remained through the stirring times when he
took part in the bloody struggle that made
and kept Kansas free. The little old
Brown farmhouse stands the edge of
the great woods, few miles to the north of the
highest peaks of the Adirondacks. There is
nothing unusual about the house. You will find
where in the mountain part of New England
New York. 1t stands a little hill in slightly
place. as they say in that region. with no shell
ter of trees around it. At the foot of the hill,
in a broad curve, flows the River Au Sable,
small, and clear. and cold. and full of trout 1t
is not far above that the stream takes its rise in
the dark Indian Pass. the only place in these
mountains where the ice of winter lasts all sum-
mer long. In the little dooryard in front of the
farm-hous is the historic spot where John
Browns body still lies moldering. No tombstone
stands over it, for none is needed. By its side
ago by the glaciers from the granite hills that
hem in Indian Pass. The bowlder is
fifteen feet in diameter, large enough to make
the farm house behind it seem small in compari
son. On its upper surface. in letters two feet
long. which can be plainly read for mile away,
is cut the simple name John Brown This is
John Browns grave, and the place, the bowlder,
and the inscription alike fitting to the man
he was. Dust to dust-granite to granite-the
last of the Puritans."